Luce Eterna: Part 1: Book 5, The Luminara Series by S.J. Molloy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is only for those over 18 due to the adult nature of the content and themes which some may find triggering.

Lexi and Lucca are back in another installment of the Luminara series and it is still them against the world, but this time, they have the twins to think of, after their mothers abduction and brutal beating which started the premature labour, four weeks later and they are improving, although both Lexi and Lucca are exhausted they are still a team and still looking after their two miracle babies. This little girl is finally out of the hospital and allowed home, however, their little boy is still in the SCBU unit, although that is a huge downgrade in levels from the incubariot he has been in since birth. They have been able to have family and friends to visit, as well as trying to look after each other, but between Lucca being hands on with most things, Lexi is still trying to get into a routine with breastfeeding, expressing and all the other things that babies need, especially when premature.

As they are allowed to take their little girl out of the hospital, they decide to stay in a hotel across the way so that they can be close to their little boy. They regularly go to see him and are overjoyed with their little miracle bundles. However, they are still reeling from the events and the consequences associated with them, the fact they still need the security detail, the fact that two pasts combined to create a horrific present, the loss of close friends and the seemingly endless media scrutiny surrounding it all. However much they are trying, Lexi is in denial and Lucca is struggling to keep his head above water as well, but they have support all around them and this is something that they will come to rely on sooner rather than later.

On the day that their little boy has his final xray before getting the all clear to come home, they are preparing the baby bag, stroller and necessities while planning the tasks for the day ahead depending on whether the results are positive or negative, while all the time praying that they can take him home, so they check the post and find that an old acquaintance has sent them something which is undesirable, but they brush it off as purely being bitchy. However, when they get to the unit there have been some unplanned and unforeseen changes in staffing and when they ask who is with their child, they find out that it isn’t his normal nurse, but it is another two whom they have known and trust, so Lexi is encouraged by Lucca to take a nap while they are waiting for his return and she is happily asleep in her carrier. Lexi is suddenly awoken in a panic by the sound of Lucca’s voice shouting, her daughter missing out of her carrier and realises that she is leaking all over her shirt, wondering what is happening, she approaches the voices, however, she is horrified to find that the nurses who were meant to be with their son aren’t and that their son is actually missing!

As Lucca crumbles to the ground screaming, wailing and breaking, Lexi is screaming while trying to find her son, but when she sees the state that Lucca is in and that his PTSD and past experiences are coming back with full force to haunt him, she takes control of the situation and starts to deal with the police, security and everything else around her. As he is breaking, she is being reformed into a master multitasker and all the while juggling motherhood, but will Lexi be able to keep all the plates in the air, or will she crumble and break as her emotions cascade around her? Will Lucca be able to come out of his downward spiral and help Lexi to find their son, or will he let his demons get the better of him while he gives up the ghost? This is another rollercoaster ride of emotion as you are hauled along on their journey with them and experience every twist and turn at the same time.

Review by @roxsannel

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